Ms Matthea Roemer
Research Student
School of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care
Biography
I am a PhD researcher working to advance sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice through the generation, translation, and application of evidence. My doctoral research, supervised by Dr. Carrie Purcell, Dr. John Reynolds-Wright, and Dr. Ayomide Oluseye, focuses on the development and validation of a patient-reported measure of pain in medication abortion in the UK. Drawing on interdisciplinary pain scholarship, I examine medication abortion pain as a biological, subjective, and sociocultural experience shaped by relational and contextual factors. My work aims to develop a context-specific, patient-informed tool that captures the embodied, temporal, relational, and contextual dimensions of pain during medication abortion, while contributing to wider debates about how pain in reproductive healthcare is recognised, measured, and incorporated into research, clinical practice, and policy.
My broader research interests sit at the intersection of interdisciplinary sexual and reproductive health (SRH) research and measurement science. I am particularly interested in how complex sexual and reproductive health experiences are understood and translated into meaningful evidence that can improve care quality, policy change, and ultimately, more equitable access to person-centred care.
Previously, I was Head of Research & Innovation at MSI Reproductive Choices, where I led a global research portfolio spanning randomised controlled trials, mixed-methods studies, formative research, innovation pilot design and evaluation, large-scale data analytics, and strategic communications to support evidence-based SRH programming and policy change across diverse health systems.
I am always open to connecting with others working in related fields and exploring opportunities for collaboration.
Professional Profiles
Career history
- MSI Reproductive Choices (London, UK) - Head of Research & Innovation (2019 - 2025)
- Rwanda-Zambia HIV Research Project (Kigali, Rwanda) - Monitoring & Evaluation Officer (2018 - 2019)
- AmfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research (Remote) - Research Consultant (2018-2019)
- Jhbiego (Ougadougou, Burkina Faso) - Global Research Fellow (2017)
- Gates Institute - PMA2020 (Baltimore, USA) - Graduate Research Assistant (2016 - 2018)
Qualifications
- PhD Candidate - The Open University (expected 2028)
- Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) - Johns Hopkins School of Public Health (2018)
- BA in Biology - Macalester College (2016)
Publications
Papers
Owusu, E, Roemer M, et al Transforming Reproductive Healthcare Delivery through Telemedicine Services Expansion: Evidence from a cross-sectional pilot evaluation in rural Ghana. Submitted July 2025. Accepted for Publication.
Ushie BA, Akiode A, Roemer M, et al To tell or not to tell? Abortion disclosure and social support among women who received abortion care in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria. Archives of Public Health. Under Review.
Hanse C, Roemer M, Tenaye M, et al. Exploring factors that influence use of postabortion contraception: a retrospective analysis of electronic health record data from private facilities across Ethiopia. BMC Public Health. Under Review.
Roemer M, Ushie BA, Akiode A, et al. Inequities in Safe Abortion: Women's Care Trajectories in Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria. 2025. BMC Public Health. Available here.
Roemer M, Pasos UR, Wanyama I, et al. When addressing resources is not enough: Lessons learned from a Respectful Maternal and Neonatal Care provider training intervention evaluation in Kenya and Tanzania. 2024. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters. Available here.
Adu J, Roemer M, et al. D. Expanding access to early medical abortion services in Ghana with telemedicine: findings from a pilot evaluation. 2023. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters. Available here.
Sherwood J, Roemer M, et al. Restrictions On US Global Health Assistance Reduce Key Health Services In Supported Countries. 2020. Health Aff (Millwood). 2020 Sep;39(9):1557-1565. Available here.
Roemer, M; Voegtline, K; Strobino, D; Choi , Y. Method Awareness Questions and Women’s Report for Modern Method Use in Surveys. 2018. PMA Methodological Reports No. 4. Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health. Available here
Conferences (selective list)
Gibbs T, Brown M, Ashe K, Roemer M, et al. Women’s Voices on Climate Resilience and Reproductive Choices: A MultiCountry Qualitative Study. Oral Presentation, ICFP 2025.
Sherwood J, Roemer, M; Honermann B, et al. Tracking the Impact of the Expanded Mexico City Policy on PEPFAR Implementing Partners. Poster Presentation. HIVR4P 2018.
Roemer, M; Women’s Reported Use of Modern Contraceptive Methods Before and After the Introduction of Method Awareness Questions; Evidence from PMA2020 survey data from Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria. Oral Presentation. ICFP 2018.
Roemer, M; Berdellima, A., McLaren, M. et al. Putting equity at the heart of what we do: Closing the gap in reaching the poor through evidence-driven programming. Panel Oral Presentation. ICFP 2022.
Roemer, M; Adu J, eta. Advances and innovations in Telemedicine for home-based safe abortion care. Telemedicine for Sexual and Reproductive Health in a Post-Pandemic World. Oral Presentation. FIGO 2023
